Final answer:
An ophthalmologist (option d) is the type of physician who specializes in the study of the eye and is equipped to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat diseases, as well as perform surgery. An optometrist provides primary vision care like sight testing while an optician dispenses corrective lenses. The correct answer is d) ophthalmologist.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physician who specializes in the study of the eye is known as an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO) who is trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications, and perform eye surgery.
They also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. An optometrist (option b) is a healthcare professional who provides primary vision care, such as sight testing and correction, but is not a medical doctor and typically cannot perform surgery. An optician (option c) is a technician who designs, fits, and dispenses lenses for the correction of a person's vision based on prescriptions from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is d) ophthalmologist.
The cornea is a protective layer on the front of the eye, and the iris adjusts the amount of light coming into the eye. If the eyes are incapable of focusing an image on the retina, it may be due to an issue with the lens, which is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. Nearsightedness and farsightedness are conditions related to the incorrect focal points of the eyes, with nearsighted eyes having focal points between the lens and the retina, and farsighted eyes with focal points beyond the retina.